Butterfly Weeds Read Online Free Page B

apart.
     
                  “Will, those were Ben’s lights, not mine,” he informed Will hastily – not ever giving Will his full attention.
     
                  “Here, Julia, here’s some hot chocolate,” the lanky boy announced, facing me and presenting to me a steaming, Styrofoam cup.
     
                  I removed both of my hands from my sweatshirt’s pocket and cradled the cup as Will recoiled and shifted his weight away from the boy now wedged between us. I watched Will quickly divert his eyes to the fierce, orange flames again as he habitually ran his hand against his thigh.
     
                  “Thanks, Jeff,” I said as the distracted, lanky boy found a stick and proceed ed to poke at the fire’s ashes.
     
                  I watched for a few, long seconds the lanky boy menacingly prodding what was left of the logs before my gaze turned up again.
     
    What I glimpsed next made me smile. My own eyes had caught the bright, blue gaze of Will Stephens, and for the first time in the history of humanity, his irises didn’t look so juvenile – his stare didn’t seem so mischievous.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Falling
     
     
     
     
     
                  “W hat’s your favorite sport?” I asked.
     
                  “Aah, basketball,” he said confidently.
     
                  “What’s yo ur favorite food?” I continued.
     
                  “Umm, I don’t know. Aah…,” he stuttered.
     
                  “Will, the game doesn’t work if you don’t answer the first thing that comes to your head. It’s supposed to be the truth. You have to do it fast,” I tenderly protested with a happy smile, though I tried to show him the most serious face I could conjure up.
     
                  “Okay, pizza,” he said, grinning, yet slightly defeated.
     
                  “What’s your favorite summer job?” I asked.
     
                  “Umpiring,” he answered quickly.
     
                  “Okay, what do you want to be when you grow up?” I continued.
     
                  “Okay, Jules, that one I really don’t know. You know that. Skip,” he pleaded.
     
                  “Okay, fine,” I said. “I’ll answer for you – a famous musician.”
     
                  He was smiling and shaking his head when he looked up at me.
     
                  I continued.
     
                  “What’s a hobby not many people know you have?” I asked.
     
                  “Aah…playing guitar, I guess,” he said.
     
                  Who are you going to marry?” I rambled off quickly.
     
                  “You,” he answered without missing a beat.
     
                  I stopped suddenly. My expression went from almost blank to a wild smile in a matter of a simple second.
     
                  “Really?” I asked, just wanting to hear him say it again.
     
                  He smiled wildly also. “That surprises you?” he asked. “I’ve only asked you out every day I’ve known you.”
     
                  “I know, but I guess I just didn’t really think that far ahead,” I said, smiling softly and bringing my legs to a bent position, halfway up the hood of his SUV.
     
                  “You really want to marry me?” I asked.
     
                  “Of course I do. Well, if that’s okay with you?” he asked sheepishly.
     
                  I smiled a happy smile as I pressed my head against his muscular chest. I could smell the cologne that lingered on his tee shirt. It had become both a welcoming and comforting scent. It was attractive and familiar all at the same time.
     
                  “You